Picolo recommends · Jungle hotel by Kandalama Lake
Heritance Kandalama: the hotel the jungle took back
In the middle of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle stands a hotel so overgrown you can barely see it. Heritance Kandalama runs along a cliff, and the monkeys are the regulars.
Sigiriya
The rock fortress you can spot from the hotel on clear days.
The first time you see Heritance Kandalama, you do not really see it. You see a cliff, a blanket of creepers and trees, and then, somewhere in the green, a row of windows. In the morning you hear monkeys running across the roof, and from the pool you look out over a lake where, with a little luck, you may spot elephants at the water's edge.
The hotel stands by the Kandalama reservoir in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle and was designed by the Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The idea was that the building should defer to nature, not the other way round. A few decades on, nature has taken him at his word: the facade is so overgrown that the hotel is often described as one of Asia's first eco hotels.
Below you will find what makes Heritance Kandalama special, an alternative close by and when to go. The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The architecture
The forest has grown over the facade.
Kandalama Lake
The hotel along the cliff above the water.
The restaurant
Meals with a view of the lake.
Evening
The hotel at dusk.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we like Heritance Kandalama
The hotel stretches along a long cliff, and in several places the rock runs straight into the corridors. The rooms have large windows facing the lake or the forest.
The roof terrace and the pools look out over the water, and on clear days you can spot Sigiriya. It is quiet, green and a little wild. Close the balcony door, the monkeys are quick.
Safari
Elephants on safari in Sri Lanka.
Why Heritance Kandalama is worth the trip
Heritance Kandalama: a building that became part of the cliff
The hotel stretches along a long rock face, and in several places the rock runs straight into the corridors. Rooms have big windows facing the lake or the forest, and the roof terrace and pools are placed so you look across the water to the horizon. On clear days you can make out Sigiriya rock in the distance.
It is a large hotel with several restaurants, yet it never feels like one. It is quiet, green and a little wild. Close the balcony door when you go out, as the monkeys are quick to help themselves to anything left lying around.
Book your stay: See rooms at Heritance Kandalama
Book your stay
Heritance Kandalama in Dambulla
Rooms with large windows facing the lake or the forest.
Dambulla
The golden temple by the Dambulla cave temples.
Things to do nearby
Sigiriya: the famous rock fortress, best climbed early in the morning before the heat.
Dambulla: the cave temple with Buddhist paintings and statues, a short drive away.
Safari: the national parks in the area are known for elephants. The hotel can help arrange a jeep and guide.
Read more in our Sri Lanka travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Kandalama?
The Cultural Triangle is usually driest from January to September, while October to December are often rainy months. The rain does make the jungle around the hotel even greener. Many travellers combine a few nights here with the beaches on the south coast.
When should you book?
December to April: peak season for European visitors, so book early.
Summer: good conditions in the Cultural Triangle and often easier to find rooms.
Round trip: put Kandalama in the middle of your route, close to both Sigiriya and Dambulla.
Alternatives
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
An alternative in the same area.
Frequently asked questions about Heritance Kandalama
Where is Heritance Kandalama?
Heritance Kandalama is by the Kandalama reservoir in the Cultural Triangle in central Sri Lanka, near Dambulla and a short drive from Sigiriya. The drive from Colombo takes several hours.
Who designed Heritance Kandalama?
The hotel was designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's best-known architect. He wanted the building to merge with the cliff and the forest, and today the facade is almost entirely covered in vegetation.
Are there monkeys at Heritance Kandalama?
Yes, monkeys live around the hotel and are used to people. Keep your balcony door closed and do not leave food out.
Where should I stay to visit Sigiriya?
Stay at Heritance Kandalama for the views and the architecture, or at Jetwing Vil Uyana to be closest to the rock. Both make a good base for Sigiriya and Dambulla.
How many nights should I spend in the Cultural Triangle?
Three nights gives you time for Sigiriya, Dambulla and a safari, plus time by the pool between trips.